Stephen Gately 1976-2009

Just heard the news that Boyzone singer Stephen Gately has died, aged 33.

I know it's not cool to admit, but I was a fan. Not posters on wall or concert-going type fan, but I bought all of his/their albums, most of the singles, and Steo was my favourite.

His debut (and as it turned out only) solo album New Beginning was a big favourite of mine on its release back in 2000, getting a lot of play in my car and at work. Shame about the dreary I Believe being released; easily the worst track on the album, even if it was in Billy Elliot.

He also appeared on the London West End stage as the lead in the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and as the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Of course the biggest news of his career outside of Boyzone was his very public coming out (some might say outing). Some would argue it boosted his career, others that it killed it. The truth, obviously, is both. A boost for some, not for others.

Either way, it was definitely for the best for him, now free to live his life and he even went on to have a civil partership (legal gay marriage) to Andrew Cowles in 2006.

After an acrimonious split a decade ago, Boyzone recently reformed to sell-out concerts (initially, at least) and were set to release an album of new material.

His last tweet on Twitter reads as follows;

"still busy- lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."

Madonna Celebration

Congratulations to Madonna on reaching the UK top 3 singles yet again, and scoring yet another UK #1 album with her career-spanning greatest hits compilation, Celebration.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Robbie Williams - Bodies

Just seen the video for the new Robbie Williams single, Bodies.

I wasn't impressed by the song at first, but it grew on me pretty quickly. The lyrics are full of Robbie's trademark self-loathing angst and was hoping for a video that reflected that. Oh dear.

All we get is Robbie in the desert- on a bike, in a car, then singing the last bit on a plane's wing. Throw in some dated 80s screen matrices and we're done. Just looks like a lot of budget for not very much.

Beverley Knight - 100%

I'm something of a latecomer to Beverley Knight.

I bought the "Made It Back '99" single, liked "Get Up!" and "Shoulda Woulda Coulda", but lost interest on hearing "Gold". However, things changed with the utterly brilliant "Affirmation" album, for which she teamed up with Robbie Williams' most successful collaborator, Guy Chambers (as opposed to Gary Barlow). An album I had in my possession, yet had never listened to, despite fantastic singles like "Come As You Are" and the Robyn-penned "Keep This Fire Burning".

I was then taken to a one-off gig in London, and she blew me away. I dug the album out, got the ones I didn't have and was delighted when she soon had a big hit with her greatest hits compilation, "Voice". I have since seen her live twice more, both times in Cardiff. Unfortunately, the last was to promote her "Music City Soul" album. It was still a fantastic concert, but the material from this new album left me wanting. It appears the record buying public agreed, as every single failed to reach the top 40, despite some decent airplay. ("After You" in particular should've been huge, and why wasn't "Black Butter" released?)

Which brings us to 2009, and the album "100%". Now a darling of Twitter (http://twitter.com/beverleyknight) her new single, "Beautiful Night", has been getting positive responses on You Tube and is a welcome return to form for me. So how about the rest of the album? Thankfully, it's her strongest, aside from Affirmation. Whether the sales will reflect this (I wasn't the only one burned by MCS) is another matter, but I hope so.

Highlight tracks include launch single, "Beautiful Night", 80s-dancefloor-inspired "Breakout", "Rip It Up" soundalike "In Your Shoes", the soulful anthems "Soul Survivor" (with Chaka Khan) and "Turned to Stone", and misfit RnB ballad "Square Peg" (reminiscent of her own wonderful "Straight Jacket"). The album closes with an enthusiastic, faithful cover of the Bee Gees' "Too Much Heaven", reminiscent of Destiny's Child's "Emotions" cover.

The low points? Few and far between, but I would have to single out the quite dreary title track. Then again, this could grow on me.

Beverley fans should not be breathing a sigh of relief, but letting out a huge cheer. I will now certainly be trying to get Cardiff tickets for November...

Britain's new Number One

So the UK has a new Number One Single: "Run This Town" by Jay-z ft Rihanna and Kanye West.

The track features the lyric "It’s crazy how you can go from being Joe Blow to everybody on your dick, no homo".

Doesn't it make you proud? Oh, wait, not proud... f***ing furious...

Song of the Year (so far)

The Veronicas - "Untouched"

Despite a relative lack of melody on the verses, there's something irresistible about this song, from the screechy violin samples, to the up-tempo driving electrobeat and the unison vocals.
I believe this was a hit in their native Australia two years ago, and a hit in the US a year ago- but it is finally a big Top 10 hit here in the UK in 2009.

Album of the year (so far)

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

Lily sets more of her trademark wit to music, this time eschewing the retro sound of her debut, "Alright, Still", for a more contemporary electro-pop feel. Features the #1 single "The Fear", top 10 hit "Not Fair" and the fab new single, "22".

Welcome!

This blog will hopefully soon contain various information about music that I would find interesting.

This may include reviews (my own/others), news, official UK/US charts, release dates, Top 10s etc.

Watch this space!